Better Photo Tips - For Photo Composition
The difference between a photo being considered
a work of art or just a snapshot, has to do with basic composition. Composition is made of several different
elements of design. This article helps
you understand those elements and how to apply them to your photography.
For most of us it seems fairly common sense that
you can’t fit a square peg into a round hole, yet many beginning photographers
attempt to do just that. If you have a
tall, vertical subject like a person or a tree your camera needs to be held in
a vertical position. Why? Because if you
do not fill the frame of your camera, you are wasting visual space. Have you ever seen a finished painting where
2/3rd’s of the canvas has no paint on it at all? Very doubtful, because to the painter ever
square inch of his canvas, is part of his creation. Therefore the first photo tip is the format (vertical or horizontal) must match the subject.
This basic concept covers several elements of design. To have balance in your image the subject
must match the format. To make sure the
subject is the main focus of your viewer, you must be aware of the background
so it does not distract. Of course, the
easiest way to eliminate visual distractions is to move in closer.
Getting back to the painting analogy, most painters are very aware of the point
of focus in their finished product.
Likewise; as an up and coming photographer your next photo tip to remember
is to always be aware of the viewer’s point of focus. Just for clarification, I am not talking about
depth of field. When I use the phrase
“point of focus? I am referring to what the viewer sees within your image. You might think that is obvious, they are
looking at my subject. That is only true,
if you shot your subject correctly.
For example, let’s say you take a picture of a girl at the beach. Regardless of what format you choose if the
horizontal line of the water crashing on the sand is dramatically off it will
distract your viewer. If in the
background there is a little boy playing with a big round ball, this will also
pull your attention away from the main subject.
If the subject is fairly light skinned and you have her lying on a
bright red towel, that color will also visually distract.
To this end, learning the rule of thirds will greatly enhance the odds that
your viewer is looking specifically where you want them to look. If you divide any image into thirds, (both
vertically and horizontally) the points where those thirds meet are the natural
focus points of most viewers. Therefore if you design the image so that your subject falls on one or more of
those natural focus points, you will have a great advantage over those who
shoot everything dead center. The third
photo tip is this; place your subject where it is visually the most pleasing.
Most painters when they have finished their great work of art will frame
it. Why is that? A frame helps draw your attention into the
image and says, “Hey look at me, I’m important!? While you can do this in the same way that
most painters do, when it comes to photography the word “framing? tends to take
on a different meaning.
In most cases, framing consist of something in the foreground (usually slightly
out of focus) that helps set off something in the background. One of the
reasons this is such a powerful tool, is that this is exactly how the human eye
sees things. Think about it: A flower at the edge of a canyon, you can
either focus on the flower or the canyon, but not both. Your camera, can
make both in focus at the same time (depth of field), but that’s not really how
you saw it. Another great photo tip is to make the viewer feel what you
felt. This can often be done by framing
and the creative use of a narrow depth of field.
To summarize:
A) The format (vertical or horizontal)
must match the subject.
(Don’t waist space, plan every
inch of your canvas.)
B) Always be aware of the viewer’s point
of focus.
(Don’t let lines, shapes, or colors
become distractions.)
C) Place your subject where it is
visually the most pleasing.
(Use lines and the Rule of Thirds
to your advantage.)
D) Make the viewer feel what you felt.
(Use framing and Depth of Field to
your advantage.)
If you were already an artist, composition might come naturally. But for those new to photography, this is the
starting point not the final destination.
Each of these tips helps you to remember several other issues involved
in making a great photo. It helps if you
think of yourself as an artist and each image as a work of art.
Study the elements of design. Be
aware what lines, shapes, colors, texture, and balance can do for your image. Take pride in every shot you take , and above
all . . . have fun!
About the author
Garrison has 30 years experience in photography. As a Graphic Art Major, he has
a unique perspective on the Elements of Design and how those elements relate to
all aspects of photography. His photo eBook “Your Creative Edge” ( http://www.betterphototips.com/creativeedge.htm)
proves that creativity CAN be taught. Today, he shares his wealth of knowledge
with the world, at: http://www.betterphototips.com
Tags: analogy, canvas, clarification, common sense, composition, depth of field, elements of design, finished product, horizontal line, painters, painting, photo tip, photographer, photographers, snapshot, square peg, vertical position, visual distractions, visual space, work of art
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